Quattro Fontane in Rome unveiled after clean-up

(ANSA) Rome's famous Four Fountains complex near the Quirinal palace was restored to the public on Tuesday following a nine-month cleaning costing 320,00 euros. The late-Renaissance Quattro Fontane ensemble representing the river gods Arno and Tiber and the goddesses Juno and Diana were restored with sponsorship from Italian fashion house Fendi as part of its 2.5 million euros 'Fendi for fountains' project also involving the baroque Trevi fountain The fountains located at the intersection of Via delle Quattro Fontane and Via del Quirinale required a substantial overhaul after being exposed to decades of dirt and traffic pollution. "The intervention was extremely complex because the layer (of dirt) deposited on the monument was very resistant," said city superintendent for cultural heritage Claudio Parisi Presicce.

"In addition, it involved hydraulics and the lighting, which has become artistic and uses LED lights," he continued. The first phase of restoration of the Trevi fountain was completed in January and now restorers are focusing on the side sections and the sculpture of Oceanus (god of all water) in the central niche.